America - Yes

[puddypuss]

I didnt see them from 1980, where trevor horn was on vocals, and went down badly, til 1996 when this looks like it was shot, and was really pleased they were still doing america as I have been seeing them since their 4th ever concert its a shame about the soap opera of whose in or out of the group, as the core of the group at one point seemed so strong

[alanstarkie2001]

Simon and Garfunkel may have written this: Yes performs it the way it should always be - perfection!

[sabaclic]

なつかしい。good

[Yngland]

I LOVE IT STILL AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS

[knickola]

Yep, like this, but it's hard to forget that they copied this idea from 1-2-3 live at the Marquee in 1967.

[AdrianSX1998]

Espectacular, STEVE HOWE, de los mejores solos de guitarra que he escuchado.

[djkingpi]

best cover of Simon & Garfunkel ever!!! in the universe ;)

[alanstarkie2001]

This is the ultimate cover version! This totally kicks ass and has always done so.

[mollysangelique]

conflict,met,mn,oudste,zus,aan­,phone,wat,een,wandellende,kra­nt,echt,een,roddellaar,ellebog­enwerk,ze,verzint,verhalen,ove­r,mn,vriendin,speelt,ons,uit,i­k,heb,gebroken,met,zoveel,kort­zichtigheid,heb,ik,besloten,ga­,ik,niet,meer,mee,om,ze,is,lis­tig,de,tong,van,een,slang,gift­ig,zus,of,niet,dan,moet,je,kap­pen,zus,of,niet,liever,kwyt,da­n,ryk,haar,negativiteit,gaf,me­,hoofdpyn,ik,ben,niet,negatief­,meer,ontwikkeld,qau,inlevings­vermogen,in,andere,mensen

[astromar]

Great performance! Thanks for posting!

[christopauls]

I would love to see Bill Bruford play with Yes again. They really do miss him on this song.

[Nicwizz]

Utter rubbish.

[SomeOneWeerd]

@Nicwizz Why do you think that? This is a great song and a great cover.

[greatchuck1]

Love Yes playing America, just awesome!!!

[Yesshows01]

Fantastic guitar solo. Steve´s technique is very clean. He didn´t abuse of distortion or fuzz, but he rocked, while others needed them to rock. Long live YES.

[MartinMcGrane]

Boring? Noooo..!

Adoring? Yessss..!

[williehackitt1]

Boring piffle

[sluterry]

wow so bored that i stopped aging so i suppose i have to thank them for making me 10 minutes younger or whatever

[Lebbez]

@sluterry Fuck yeah.. this is boring as hell..

[lovelyflares]

@Lebbez Why Fucking watch it Then ??????????????

[Lebbez]

@lovelyflares Had to give it a chance, but didn't watch all 11 minutes

[RadDudeski69]

That's Yes at their kick-ass best! Thanks for posting this so I can share it with all my friends!

[thiandromeda]

Alan Whit couldn´t be the best that brufford, but he is the face of yes. He isn´t a brilliant but still the face of yes. Let the technical part of drums out of this and listen to the music. I love Brufford in yes songs, but White is rock and roll and charismatic drummer!

[portugalete]

Brutal!

[drewbacsi]

Alan White just can't play like Bruford. Tough shoes to fill.

[Maravalmusic]

Oh boy! I'm a fan of YES and I think they had the most magicval songs ever written..

But I have asthma as Jon, but my voice is a shi...!

[visual33]

Steve Howe - brilliant!!

Must be one of the best LIVE guitarists, his playing is so accurate .

[macaxe]

Amazing. I had this on a single vinyl 45, atlantic. What a great band, I saw them live about 4 times starting with Tormado in 78, don't think I ever saw them do this song though. I really love the studio footage of them recording this song (here on youtube) Check it out if you haven't!

[Relayer6a]

Reporter to Steve Howe: So Steve, how many licks do you know?

Steve: All of them.

[Skraboing649]

Their original recording of this from 197? is AMAZING, and judging from this clip, the passage of time seems to have done little to damage that energy. Fantastic.

[nikedinburgh]

I saw this in Edinburgh Playhouse - the "intro" took about a half hour!

[mallard4998]

SUBLIME!!!!!nothing else need be said

[kettlezone]

Freakun ossum!

[pasta2018]

Some of the songs recorded in early years are really good! This is one of them.

[Meseamer]

i love this song

[mallard4998]

superb muzos!!!all of them

[diegomiraglia1965]

I cry because Jon Anderson is not now with Yes. This song, with their interpreters is the best cover of America of Simon and Garfunkel. However Jon's voice remains my voice of angel and Yes without Jon are not the same

[klnine]

now that is a cover !!!!!!!!!

[DaughterofKyuss]

What a voice! Simply sublime

[ramzahnY]

Alan White plays quite a mean drum here.

[COPROENCEFALICO]

Great Song!!

[mallard4998]

amazing,sublime!!!thank God for music,thank God for these guys!

[ph1lanthrope]

Impeccable!!

[sam3224]

greatest band!!!...... Luv their style

[clockworkaccordion]

4/4 techno beat though, electronica robbed from this and Tangerine Dream

[funff]

Chris makes that bass look TINY!!

[brettorrmusic]

Ahh, the medieval 70's...

[Incudius]

nice to see Yes made amends in this centrury with the live performaces including an orchestra.

however, its even nicer to see any band take an S&G song and re-imagine it entirely.

[fucheduck]

modern yes always overproduced, but where can you go in like 40 yrs? Try the raw footage "America". good stuff. Chris's bass, subliminal as it is is still distinctive and melodolic. Jon's voice a bit out of tune but still quite good.

[dwf56]

Excellent performance & outstanding video of Yes interpreting Paul Simon's great song ~ as only Yes can. Thanks!

[jerencebar]

Steve at his best - that's always been my favorite solo out of just about everything else he's done (well, OK - Gates of Delirium is pretty amazing too!)

[MrNimrus]

I'm empty & aching and I don't knoww whyyyyyyyy...... I love how Jon sings this great Paul Simon line.

[gilh10]

01:29 where is this tune taken from? it sounds so familiar.

[archivist26]

Paul Simon wrote it.

[tronester]

this is maybe the the best music/talent one is going to hear at any time in their life. These guys/Yes might be the best ever! n a long time to come!

[IndyYamahaRiders]

Outstanding! Flawless! What sound! What a recording! What a video!

KES 01-10

[mj99a]

what is the lineup of players?? i always loved the line "counting the cars on the new jersey turnpike" having been an avid hitch hiker in the 70s. and spent a lot of time on the roadsides of america. love this song.

[kennywowie]

one of the best, if not the best, live recording of them I've ever heard. Wow. Good job recordist, whomever you are.

[ArtsPatron2008]

Man, what a privilege to hear these guys- in whatever decade!

[LikTyBlur]

"YES," to that! I saw these guys a ZILLION times in the seventies! Whenever I'm a bit down on the current state of affairs at home here, I listen to this version by YES of the fantastic Simon and Garfunkel song, America, and dream of what it "was-----" to be free, in this once great land!

[relayer705]

It was first issued on the album Age Of Atlantic. Dave

[RickSeibert]

i used to work at a pet shop,,,,one day some guy comes in sellin cds when they first came out...i buy a doors /hendrix bootleg with jim morrison talking all kinds of nasty stuff...i also bought a (variety) cd....it had a copy of america by yes.....i..being a yes fan since i was 5 yrs old was @#$# that i had never even heard of it....yes isaid 5 yrs old...they took me to the museum of seince and industry way back in 1970 or 71...the busdriver had W.L.S.

[cliverich]

It was first included on a sampler for Atlantic records around 1972 and then on a compliation album called Yesterdays in 1974.

Always loved the guitar solo.

[Cheskoslavia]

i recognise this sound, it's from keys to ascension, isn't it?

[HasinaiMan]

Yes, it sounds like this version is from the live "Keys To Ascension" shows in San Luis Obispo, California (If I remember correctly the shows were in early 1996). This song is one of my all time favs. Jon Anderson was living in SLO at the time. Steve Howe was awesome on this.

[YessAndersonn]

Paul Simon wrote it, thats what Jon said on the album "The Word is Live"

[rudolfmusic]

Wow!

[4yestoday]

Just to clear up all of the confusion this song was originally released as a single only on 7-17-72 at the time when Close to the Edge debuted. It was often played during tours of the US in the 70's. It also appears on a few live albums Yes recorded.

[Wazabooz]

Crowsfan--

no no, this was from their first or second LP, a cover of Simon & Garfinkle but with the unique "Yes treatment"

Honestly is there any other band who can do something this old, this well, so many years later, and with with this much joy?

[NotSpiffums]

Pretty sure this was off Fragile, wasn't it?

[Wazabooz]

@Wazabooz I stand corrected. I only knew it from "Yesterdays" and I assumed it was the original version of the band. Learn something every day!

[chomazu]

steve howe,jon andeson, bill bruford. chris squire, rick wakeman..the band positive yes

[twagn]

Yesterdays

[Kozmo260]

What DVD is this from? Would love a hard copy!

Thanks in advance

[Crowsfan55]

It was on an album after....jeez trying to think...Relayer?....maybe Tales....but it was actually a kinda YES doing covers (this is a Paul Simon song)...

[Iain1962]

@Kozmo260 It's from " The Keys to Ascension" pretty easy to find.

[stormy5969]

Lets keep this to music...

I dare any band, cover or not to come close to this...

Brilliant

[flowerlower005]

OMG.This dudes are fantastic!! Stewe Howe are unbelivebl!! Chris Squire are even better?

Jon Anderson, What a angel on song!

Alan White on drums!

It will never be better than this!!!

[moodyblue1964]

Anyway politics aside, the song shows how tight the band are and what wonderful musicians they all are.

This cover version is simply brilliant and it takes one hell of a good version to rival the original as anything S&G did was of almost of a spiritual connection with something.

[ArtsPatron2008]

That would be "how tight the band is;" you didn't have much school did you, ViagraBlue1864? Piss-poor at world history, I've noticed...

[moodyblue1964]

Ohhhh you love having a dig don't you Mr American patriot.

[Wazabooz]

Patron -- No, Moodyblue64 is actually correct. This is a small difference between American and British English language. In Britain, collective nouns are considered plural. That way, a sentence might (properly) go "the band are playing and they sound great" instead of "the band is playing and it sounds great". Helps the band, or the married couple, or the House of Lord, to sound like a collection of people rather than an inanimate object.

[JackBlair2]

I'm glad Jon Anderson has nice things to say about America. (Even if he sounds weird saying it...)

America is the best nation. EVER.

[moodyblue1964]

RUBBISH.....it's comments like that that make your reputation as 'we got the biggest this, we got the biggest that' sound so arrogant.

I've travelled the world over and yes I loved certain parts of the US (vegas is awful) but there are many countries that have beauty tha US can only dream of.

I did however find Americans as the most narrow minded people i have come across with very little knowledge of what's going on out side it's borders and demonstrated why the hell we have global terrorism

[JackBlair2]

Eat me.

[ArtsPatron2008]

I'm sure the U.S. is still the world's most generous philanthropist, you damned terrorist-sympathizer!

[moodyblue1964]

Yeah the good ol U.S.of A huh...yeah it sure is the worlds generous Philanthrwotnot spreading death to the third world by the million in it's 'justified' war on terror...'oh ok mr that's just collateral damage and we sure had to bomb the god dam hell out of them terrorists'.....and there he sits with his fat cigar in his gas guzzling caddy with his cowboy hat on......oh and your last statement is some kind of joke right ?

[ArtsPatron2008]

"god dam?"

So besides being a self-pitying, illiterate weasel, you're an atheist?

I can SEE your damned money belt- and it's empty anyway, you terrorist-STROKING freak! Who's your daddy- OBL?

[moodyblue1964]

Oh have i rattled your cage then ?....you are pretty funny responding to a comment and then preceding to the insult level....one can read alot on a psychological level here ( winks)

[JackBlair2]

Did someone pee in your corn flakes this morning?

[daddy431963]

Yes indeed

[doctorwintercold]

YES YES YES..that is not a ufo or gov monkey business...

[3101viking]

Ahhhhhh America * sigh* :)

[pharmyphil41]

VERY NICE THANK YOU

[CaptainVision]

This looks like San Luis Obispo, they played 3 nights, anyone know which night this was ? This and Going for the One were rockin, it was "Yes camp" in SLO, (well not exactly), yikes, will have to post some memories, that was one heck of a week

[cpguitars1]

You are correct. This is from the DVD Keys to Ascension which was filmed at SLO. Not sure what night, but I will get back to you.

[HikiLuoma]

Original Smin & Garfunkel song is great but this version kicks ass!

[TheNAIG]

hammer

[ahroba]

Essa música é muito bela na versão de seus autores Simon and Garfunkel mas o Yes a deixou maravilhosa!!!!

[martinmxxi]

Despues de oir tanta musica durante tantos años , YES no deja de Sorprenderme. Definitivamente son los MEJORES. Forever YES.

[Silvana570]

The best!!

[Willow1120]

This is the Best Band EVER and probably ever will be - tho' Jon's voice seemed strained and and lighter than normal (he does have asthma though) it works with the ethereal sounds of this band. I saw Yes live in New Orleans and couldn't believe they weren't recorded. The sound was that PURE - the best concert - acoustically speaking - ever! I'm totally blown away by a band who, musically - technically - is so superb, so clear, so brilliant.

[yesfan1968]

there will never be a more talented group of guys like this

NEVER

one could only hope

[rollynecio]

genios!!!

[hope2prosper]

the lead singer is a high priest

[xpinkdog]

Why is that singer wearing a wedding dress?

[edgluhrs]

got to admit that's a funny question. strange intro by jon - always been one of yes's rocking songs, though!!!

[smulkin1]

You have something against fat guys with mullets in wedding dresses!?!

[Silver2Ruby]

YES is the BEST! They play as well here as they did the first time I saw them in concert in 1972! Thanks, Dickeyboyz!

[75peter]

Wow. Just confirms what I have always thought. The best rock musicians ever......

[markhewer]

Incredible!!!

[niilotop]

this is data.

[makeshift11]

this is incredible

[GasLampGurl]

Yes, Peter Frampton, Gary Wright show of July '76 was at Angel's Stadium. I know bcos I was there too. Yes solo albums and Frampton Comes Alive were latest albums out. Frampton had the club level shaking so hard from the fans rockin' to the music that the scoreboard messaged to them to calm down for structure damage danger.... good times

[59kents]

Hey, GasLampGurl. I was there to. It was one of my first concerts. I remember reading in the register a few days lateer about how the grounds crew for the angels had to up-root hundreds of tiny growing little pot plants. Apprently there were a lot of seeds that either by accedent or not were droped on the grass and started to grow. The show was great and I remember like it was yesterday. I'm from HB and that summer and the next one were filled with one great show after another

[Yessongs93]

Good job.

[onespiritheart]

SiberianMan2U...I saw Yes, Frampton, Chaka Khan and someone else at Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) around 1972...but Yes was the lead act (last to perform), not Frampton, even though he was very popular at that time.

[Mak9163]

en que anio fue este recital ?

[countrygal0831]

I just watched the S & G version and it was so soothing and beautiful. This version however kind of kicks you in the teeth a bit. But it's a great kick! Music is the best thing ever!

[davinka1234]

It is Rick. Got a good shot of him right at the end

[davinka1234]

It certainly looks like Rick on Keys

[wolfgar50]

is that rick wakeman on keys

[christopauls]

When Yes made their best albums, Bil was always behind the drum kit. He was a bigger influence than most of us realise.

[christopauls]

I would love to see Bill Bruford on that drum kit.

[soundchaser2112]

What the hell is wrong w/ aln white? The both of them were interchangeable w/ yes.. bill gave them a more compacted less is more sound,,where alan rocked out,,I love seeing the toms rock when he nailed them,,and he cut the mustard just fine,,,,Look at all the stuff alan played on and think again. The prblem here is stev's sound on his gtr. It's way too clean...c'mon this tune should have a blaring in your face sound...it does not match up w/squire and whites enthusiastic sound..

[soundchaser2112]

Put some distortion on that geeetar please,,,It sounds like your'e getting drowned out,,, as usual by Squire's bronto-saurus bass,,(no disssing you Mr. Squire),You deserve to be heard like on the album recording Mr. Howe... That sound is blazing!w/ all the overdriven chicken picking blazing  riffs!

[kevycanavan]

Jon is a space cadet

[dickeyboyz]

Pro shot titled YES - Keys to Ascension DVD in 1996 (although I posted this from the VHS tape version converted to AVI)

[bluestreakbuck]

I agree but I think it's the nature of the beast, the same could be said of Sting, Paul Mcartney, Mick Jagger, etc. I good friend of mine was involved in the New York music scene a few years ago he told me you wouldn't like any of them. Hey it's great music anyway.

[BigRichardFla]

You have a better chance of having a beer with Obama, just arrest a racist

[vivelavidarocka]

YESCELLENT!! like allways...

[wisenetau]

AWSOME,  A+++++++

[tiimm56]

How dare you! Jon Anderson is an angel! just listen to his voice and the music he makes, there is no denying it.

[asbfly2]

Just brilliant.

[acerboy1312]

One of the few songs I like better played by someone other than Simon and Garfunkel themselves. And as far as I know the only song played by Yes that one of them didn't have a hand in writing.

[vivelavidarocka]

Acerboy in their first album they had "I see you" (McGuinn - Crosby), "Every Little Thing" (Lennon - McCartney) and in the 2003 remastered they have as bonus tracks "Everydays" (S. Stills), "Something's Coming" (L. Bernstein - Sondheim) And in "Time And A World" album they have this R. Havens song "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed"

[acerboy1312]

Well V , thank you for enlightening me. As I said, it was only as far as I knew. That's what I love about serious Yes fans, they really know their stuff. And I get to add this to my knowledge thatks to your diligence.

Good stuff. Thanks again.

[vivelavidarocka]

You R wellcome acerboy. Anytime.

[pharmyphil41]

i especially like america

[pharmyphil41]

yes is wonderful

[balddanny72]

I HATE this DVD, I bought it and quickly got rid of it-the video is out of sync with the music alot of the time, terrible visual effects. Great sound quality, but you might as well buy the CD instead.

[bluestreakbuck]

if I didn't know better I'd think they are having fun, fantastic

[SiberianMan2u]

The guitar solo from this song is one of my favorites by Steve Howe. Its like Jon Anderson said about Steve, he stuffs a lot notes into a song, nothings wasted. I also like Squire's bass playing, esp when he takes off at the end of the song.

[zazucat]

I love the outfits... Jon as a new age priest and Chris as a pirate. They could be wearing paper bags and I'd still love them.

[terescopewireman]

Well said

[ASeasonedWitch]

zazucat - you made me chuckle by your comment. Bless you.

[zazucat]

I couldn't resist : )

[Deodato4]

This is from dvd Keys To Ascension

[Ghuitarist]

Steve Howe is the man.

[UnholyConfessions10]

i'm a fan of yes. and i appreciate their rendition of this song. but simon and garfunkel's america is so meaningful, and when yes sings it, i don't hear the passion.

[vince71362]

This is just so much more celebratory, as Jon suggested in his intro.

Not brooding like S&G's version.

[UnholyConfessions10]

hmm. i suppose that is true haha

[kippphoto]

Steve Howe is the MAN!!! His solos on this song are outstanding!!!

[Proosdagel]

Yes was so talented they took covers and made them better than the originals lol.

Yes is very highly respected as one of the key bands in the progressive rock movement. They will never be forgotten. Great upload

[oliasdoug]

Can someone tell me what tour/DVD this is from? Probably the best live performance I've ever seen of America. I have been curious for years and years as to what Simon & Garfunkel think of it.

[oddf3llow]

Great stuff. Quite high up there amongst my favourite Yes tracks.

A re-work of course, so not quite all their own work, but it's still an awesome track.

[xvirg]

ah, 'tis sweet music indeed - did anyone ever find America?

[fabrikk60]

One day I was playing this song at home and halfway through my wife, who's from Georgia, said "Hey I didn't know you liked Southern Rock!" Based on his performance here, I always thought Steve Howe could've sat in with the Allmans or the Dregs if he'd wanted to and made fine Dixie-fried music.

[univibe23]

These guys are just so far beyond good!

[enridrum]

No sir, not here at this level there are better, they are just all chosen in each of their times

[meshugga2112]

Nothing against Alan White, but I wish Bill Bruford would have stuck around.

[dccnyc]

Yeah, Alan adds more straight-up rock drive to the live sound, but Bruford was a really creative and interesting cat. Then again, he left because he thought they had taken their prog approach as far as it could go and I kind of think he was right. I've never enjoyed the post "Close to the Edge" records as much as the "Big Three."

Did Bruford or White play on the original recording they did of this?

Howe's solo on that version is fantastic and he pretty much plays it note for note here.

[fabrikk60]

Bruford played on the original studio recording and single. The most interesting performance though is a 1971 recording from the set "The Word is Live" - 18 minutes long and has Tony Kaye playing Hammond. You can hear that Wakeman later took a lot of Kaye's parts and didn't change them much.

[TheNewfavorites]

What the hell accent is Jon speaking in now??

This is one of my favorites early tunes (interpretations)

that they made.

[Yesshows01]

Steve Howe is the most complete guitar player in rock scene. In addition, he never needed a dist to rock.  He rocks.

[Yesshows01]

A super guitar solo

[larrydart13]

If there are 2 better guitarists than Howe and Squire in one band then tell me who they are and what band they are in.

[storeyj6]

Page & Jones Led Zepp But Only A micromill!!